Replacing a worn or old kitchen worktop with a brand new one is a relatively inexpensive way to transform a kitchen. It’s also easier to do than you might think.
It can genuinely transform a space and deliver a completely different look and feel without requiring too much work.
If you’re tempted to try installing a new kitchen worktop, we’ll show you how.
We’ll break it down into manageable steps and describe each process so you’ll know exactly what to do.
Measure twice, we cut once
Your first task is to measure the size of the worktop you need. Make sure to record any areas you need cutting out, for sinks, taps and hobs.
Take as much care as you can when measuring. Get it right and the worktop should slip seamlessly into place.
Get it wrong and you’ll have a little finessing to do to make it fit.
Cut the material to size
If you bought your own wood, stone or other material, you’ll need to cut it to size.
Remember to envision the worktop in place to make sure the cuts will be against the wall or at a join. Ideally, you want the clean edge of the wood to face the kitchen, so mark accordingly.
Again, measure twice so you only need to cut it once. Mark out the dimensions and any holes you might need. Use a suitable saw or jigsaw and cut your worktop so it fits perfectly.
If you’re using a metal surface with wood backing, you’ll need to do this twice. Once for the metal and once for the wood. Then you’ll need to attach the sheet to the wood, bend the metal around the edges and make good.
You can use adhesive to secure the metal to the wood and/or screw into place around the edges. Check out your options and decide on the approach depending on the size and configuration of the worktop.
It’s a simple process but takes time and patience!
Preparing to fit your kitchen worktop
As with most DIY tasks, the bulk of the work is in the preparation. Once you have your worktop cut to size and assembled, installation is relatively straightforward.
Remove the old worktop carefully to minimise damage to the kitchen cabinets. Remove the sink, taps and hob if required so make this possible.
Put the sink, taps and hob to one side as you remove the old worktop. Dispose of it responsibly and then clean the sink, the taps, water pipes and hob so they can be replaced easily.
Clean up the area, clean the walls where the old worktop was and make good any damage to the wall.
If the new worktop is the same thickness as the old one, that should be the end of the preparation phase.
If the new worktop is thicker or thinner than the one it replaces, prepare the splashback, tiles or paint the wall so the worktop is the final piece of the process.
Installing the worktop
Prepare the area so it’s ready for the new worktop. Ensure the top of cabinets are flat and are ready for the brackets or screws.
Make sure any loose sealant has been removed from around the sink and taps and that the area around the cooker is clean and free from dirt and grease.
Offer up the worktop and manoeuvre into place until it fits perfectly.
Securing your worktop into place
Once you’re happy with the position, use brackets underneath to hold it into place. Use the ones that came with your kitchen or appropriate replacements to hold it securely in position.
If you ordered your work top through Halman Thompson all the correct fixing holes will already be in place, and all you have to do is either use screws or adhesive to secure it in place.
Once secured, test all your kitchen cupboards to ensure doors open and everything works as it should.
Replace the hob, sink, taps and anything else you had to remove to fit your kitchen worktop.
Seal around the edges of the appliances and between the worktop and the wall to protect surfaces from water.
If you’re using plain wood, seal the wood with beeswax or suitable finish for the type of wood.
That’s it, your new kitchen worktop is now ready to use!
Buying your Worktop from Halman Thompson
There’s nothing quite like removing an old laminate worktop and replacing it with a new aged copper worktop.
We laser cut the copper or brass sheet and artificially age it to your desired finish. We can then attach it to wood backing to get it ready to install.
Aged copper and aged brass use a chemical process to create the look. We do this by hand so we can fully control the end result. Once done, we stop the ageing process and seal the finish in a tough, transparent lacquer to protect it.
Your worktop will be aged to your specifications.
Buy your kitchen worktop from Halman Thompson and you’ll get a worktop cut to size, finished to your exact specifications, affixed to a sheet of wood ready to install.
We can cut holes for sinks and taps and anything else you might need. All you need to do is fix it into place.
If you buy a kitchen worktop from Halman Thompson, this part will all be done for you. We’ll cut it to size and add the required holes as part of the preparation.
